I am looking to purchase a 2004 S500 lease return, when I test drove it, it vibrated more than I would like. The salesman said it was the motor mounts, that the motor mounts wear out quickly. The car has 57K on it, some internet research told me that motor mounts need to be replaced at around 100K miles. Is the guy lying to me, or is the s500 prone to having the motor mounts wear out quickly? He said he has seen them go as quickly as 30K miles.

I gave the guy a $500 refundable deposit to have the motor mounts replaced...if I am satisfied, that $ goes towards the purchase of the car, if not, I can walk away with my $500. He said motor mount replacement for the S500 costs about $300.

Am I being scammed?

 

My 99 s500 needs the motor mounts replaced according to the dealer I brought it to. However, my vehicle is not vibrating, but they say if not replaced the oil pan can crack. Is that true? Just thought you might want to know. In any case the price seems cheap to repair, but if the vibration does not stop do not by the car until it is in top condition, and take it to an independent mechanic before purchase.

 

i can say i'v never replaced engine mounts @ 50 K, but anything is possible.
the price would be about $ 137.00 each mount and about 2 hours of labor time . is the vibration @ idle while stopped if yes then its possible engine mounts. if no vibration @ idle & its only while driving then you need to look @ something else.

Jerry

 

captain,
you have a different body style, your parts are $ 210.00 each and about 3 hours of labor time . i'v seen some bad engine mounts and have never seen a cracked oil pan from bad mounts.

Jerry

 

If the mounts have sagged all the way down the engine will rest on the subframe. As mbtech stated I have never seen a pan crack because of it but I guess it could happen if you are hitting a bunch of road humps or dips and slamming the engine against the subframe. Motor mounts will cause a vibration but tipically the transmission mount is what makes it violantly noticable in the cab. 300 dollars seams pretty low for the job. Maybe he is thinking of internal price or just pulling the number out of his rear. Get him to put that price in writting so that he can't jack it up in the price of the car if you want.

 

How I like to check the engine mounts.

Put the car in gear
Open the hood so you can view the engine
Hold the brake pedal firmly
Give a quick jab to the accelerator (while firmly holding the brake pedal)
See if the engine tries to come out of the hood.
You'll see the entire engine lift as it were going to come through the hood.
Now put it in reverse and check the other mount

I have seen the CRAP replacement engine mounts made by FEBI start leaking in less than 30K miles. Supposedly they are better but I will never replace an engine mount with anything other than the factory part.
IF the mount goes out prematurely you can take it to ANY Mercedes Benz dealer and have it repaired under warranty.

 

Yeah no doubt. You will definetly know when that engine try's to leave. Can be pretty violent.